Cloth-cutting machine.



A. '11. DE V013.-

. CLOTH CUTTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR.12, 1908.

936,424., Patented Oct. 12,1909.

I 2 I v H V 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

I I V INVENTOR- A. E. DE v03. CLOTH. CUTTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILEDMAR. 12, 1908.

Patented Oct. 12, 1909. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1N VEN TOR. WM 1 B Y WITNESSES.

A TTORNL Y.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT I-I. DE VOE, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE SINGERMANU- FACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CLOTH-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 12, 1909.

Application filed March 12, 1908. Serial No. 420,547.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT H. DE Von, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new terioration; and the invention consists in thefeatures of construction and arrangement herein shown and described andset forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1 is a plan and Fig. 2 a frontelevation of the machine with portions of the worlrplate re moved toexpose the parts beneath the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation and Fig.4a transverse section of the machine. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of oneof the carrier-bars upon which are mounted the feed-dog and thecutter-blades. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the opposite side of theouter end of said carrierbar. Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly insection, of the rearward end of one of the pressure bars. Fig. 8 is anedge view, partly in section, representing one of the adjustablethroat-plates. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are upon a larger scale than thepreceding figures.

The bed 1 of the machine is provided atthe opposite ends of the rearwardportion with the bearings 2 in which are mounted the opposite endportions of the carrier rockshaft 3, upon the rearward end of which s ismounted a depending crank arm 4 connected to one end of theeccentric-rod 5 whose opposite end embraces the eccentric 6 upon themain-shaft 7, which is provided at its rear end with the balance-wheel 8and grooved pulley 9 to receive a driving belt for transmission ofmotion to the machine from the source of power.

Fixed upon the rock-shaft 3 at opposite ends are the upwardly extendingarms 10 and the intermediate crank-arm 11 journaled in which is thesupporting rod 12 carrying at the ends adjacent the upright arms 10 thelateral crank-arms 13 in the outer or forward end of each of which ismounted one end of a supporting rod 1 1 whose opposite end is fixed in acarrier-bar 15 extending forwardly from a sleeve 16 loosely fitted toand slidingly mounted upon the supporting rod 12, and secured inposition by means of a set-screw 17. Each of the rods 14. has looselyfitted to and slidingly mounted thereon a sleeve 18 secured in positionby means of a set-screw 19 and having a forwardly extending carrier-bar20 arranged parallel with the bars 15.

Each of the carrier-bars 15 and 20 is pro vided with an integralfeed-dog formed with a serrated feeding surface 21. Near its forwardend, the carrier-bar is provided in its opposite faces with the recesses22 and 23, the latter having a depression in which is socured by meansof the screws 2 1 the fixed cutter-blade 25, while an integral hollowstud 26 is provided in the same recesses to afiord a fulcrum for themovable knife-lever 27 having the integral movable knife-blade 28 whoselower operative edge forms a sharpened member cooperating with the upperedge of the fixed knife to form a shear cutter of which the movablemember oscillates upon the stud 26 as a fulcrum. From the bottom of therecess 22 projects a hollow stud 26' in alinement with the stud 26 towhich is fitted an aperture in the cheek-plate 29 secured at one end toa rearwardly projecting lug 27 of the knife-lever 27 by means of screws30 passing through a spacing block 31 and at the opposite end connectedwith the knife-lever 27 by means of a screw 30 passing through anaperture 32 in the reduced portion of the carrier-bar 15. Thecheek-plate 29 thus constitutes a member of the knife-lever 27 which isspaced from the body of the same to embrace the reduced portion of thecarrier-bar 15 provided with the fulcrum-studs 26 and 26 by which thecutter-blade reciprocates in a circular path.

The main-shaft 7 is provided near the opposite ends of the machine witha pair of eccentrics 33 each embraced by a strap 34: at one end of a bar35 whose opposite end is pivotally connected with a supporting crankarm36 mounted upon a fixed fulcrum 37 projecting from one of the endstandards 38 of the machine. The parallel bars 35 are framed together bymeans of two longitudinally ar 'anged parallel angular rods 39 and 40,the former of which is embraced by a lateral slot 41 in a dependinglifting plate 42 secured by means of screws 43 within a suitable seatprovided therefor in the outer end of the carrier-bar 15, while thelatter of said angular rods 40 is embraced by avertical slot 44 formedin the lower end of the knife-lever 27.

As will be observed, both of the angular rods 39 and 40 are disposedintermediate the eccentrics 33 and the pivotal points 36 of the bars 35,and they therefore partake in different degrees of the circular motionscommunicated to the eccentric straps 34. By reason of the differentdirections in which the slots41 and 44 are arranged, and the differencesin the spacing of such rods from the fulcrum points 36, the rod 40communicates rising and falling movements to the member 42 of thecarrier-bar 15, and corresponding movements to the feeding mem ber 21and cutter members 25 and 28, while the rod 40, in its travel toward andfrom the main-shaft 7, communicates oscillating or vibrating movementsto the knife-lever 27,

and thus imparts operative movements to the movable knife-blade 28 inrelation to the fixed blade 25.

It will be observed that, by providing the primary carrier supportingrod 12 extending practically the entire length of the machine, andproviding parallel secondary carriersupporting rods 14 rigidly connectedtherewith through the members 13 and 15, the carrier-bars 15 and 20 areenabled to be formed with long bearing sleeves which in sure rigidity ofthe carrier-bars at their outer or operative ends, while such bars arecapable of a wide range of lateral adjustment to provide for theproduction of strips of cloth of corresponding widths.

At one end of the machine, the end standard is provided with an uprightextension 38 affording a bearing in which is mounted the rearward end ofan angular, and preferably flattened, presser-supporting bar 45 whosestock enters said bearing and is provided at the end with a nut 46 bywhich the same is clamped in position. The flattened portion of this baris shown herein provided with two loosely fitted sleeves 47 each havinga rigid forwardly projecting arm 48 terminating in the presser-foot 49provided wit-h a vertical slot to receive one of the movableknife-blades 28 and having its lower operative face adapted to rest incontact with the serrated surface 21 of one of the feeding members;while the rearward extension 48 of said arm carries a rigid supportingrod 50 parallel with the bar 45. Each of the supporting rods 50 carriesa sleeve 51 slidingly mounted thereon and provided with a rigid arm 52extending forwardly beneath the sleeve 47 and formed with. a resser-foot58 slotted to receive its respective cutting blade 28 and having itslower operative face adapted to rest upon the serrated face of theadjacent feeding member.

As herein represented, the bar 45 is flatted at both top and bottom andeach of the sleeves 47 is correspondingly notched adjacent the arm 48 toaccommodate the forked rearward end of the rigid lever 54 engaging thefl'at'ted faces of the bar 45. Each of the arms 48 is provided with ascrew-stud 55 affording a shoulder to receive the lower end of apressure pin 56 passing through a vertical hole in the outer endof thelever 54 and having its upper end engaged by the outer end of a fiatspring 57 whose opposite end is fastened by means of a screw 5" upon therearward end of the lever 54; the spring 57 and pin 56 applying ayielding pressure upon the lever 48 to maintain its foot 49 yieldinglypressed upon the material introduced between the same and the feedingmember.

As herein represented, the lower side of each sleeve 47 is flatted toserve as a seat to receive the free end of a flat pressure spring 58which is secured by means of a screw 59 upon the forward portion of eachof the presser-foot carrying arms 52, whereby the presserfeet 53 areyieldingly pressed downwardly similarly to the feet 49.

As the presser-feet 49 and 53 carried by their sustaining arms 48 and 52are slotted to closely embrace the cutting blades 28 mounted upon thelaterally adjustable carrier-bars 15 and 20, it will be seen that nospecial securing means for maintaining the sliding sleeves 47 and 51 inposition upon their supporting rods are necessary, such parts beingmaintained frictionally in the required positions of adjustmentcorresponding with the cutting and feeding members.

The machine is provided with a workplate 60 having a longitudinalopening surrounding the cutting and feeding members and provided alongits opposite edges with inwardly projecting lips 61 to which are fittedthe respectively grooved and notched opposite ends of each of a seriesof laterally adjustable throat-plates 62 each formed with an opening 62to admit and afford the proper clearance for its respective feedingmember. The end of the throat-plate which is undercut or notched hasformed therein a socket 63 in which is fitted a latch-plug 64 havingwedge-shaped outer end and pressed normally outward by means of a spring65 interposed between the inner end of the same and the bottom of thesocket, the latch-plug being provided with a lateral screw-stud 66entering a slot 66 in the upper side of the throat-plate whose ends formstops to limit the movement of the latch-plug 64. As will be observed,by pressing the screw-stud 66 backwardly to retract the wedge-shapedoperative end of the latch-plug 6st from engagement with the lip 61 ofthe workplate, the forward end of the throat-plate may be inserted andremoved from engagement with the lip 61 to permit the introduction orremoval of the throat-plate, while the yielding action of the springupon the plug (54 produces a frictional action upon the throat-plate tomaintain it normally in position, but permits its being shifted with theparts which it embraces, when desired.

As herein represented, an auxiliary worksupporting plate 67 is alsoshown fitted to the opening in the work-plate 60 and resting upon thelips 61, this plate being held in position by the engagement with theunder side of the work of the ends of a flat spring 68 secured to thebottom of the plate 67, which latter is-thus retained in position whilebeing adjustable similarly to the throat-plates 62.

At the rearward end, the frame of the maohine is provided with aforwardly projecting bearing 69 in which is inserted the reducedrearward end of a rigid work-supporting bar 70 secured therein by meansof the clamp-nut 71. The bar 70 is provided with Y a slidingguide-collar 72 adapted to be secured in position by means of aset-screw 7 3, and provided with a guide-arm 74 overlying the forwardmargin of the work-plate, as represented in Fig. 1.

Disposed parallel with and slightly in advance of the supporting bar 70is a smoothing bar 7 secured by means of a nut 76 in a socket 77 at thefree end of a swinging arm 78 mounted upon a fulcrum-pin 79 journaled inthe rear end of the machine frame and provided with a pressure spring 80one end of which is attached to said fulcrum pin and the other end isattached to a screw 81 upon the machine frame. The bar 75 is normallypressed downwardly by means of the spring 80, and is supported in itslower position by means of the adjustable stop-pin 82 passing throughthe arm 78 and resting upon a fixed portion of the machine frame, asrepresented in Figs. 3 and l. By turning the screwpin 82, it is evidentthat the normal position of the bar 75 may be determined.

In the use of the machine, the carrier-bars and are relatively adjustedin such manner as to bring the cutting line of the shear cutterscomprising the blades and 28 in the desired spacing to produce strips offabric of the required width, the presserfeet 49 and 53 being similarlyadjusted, as previously indicated. The web of fabric is then introducedover the supporting bar and under the smoothing bar 75, with its edge incontact with the guide-collar 7 2 and guide-arm 74, with its forwardedge introduced between the several presser-feet and the respectivefeeding members. The machine is then set in motion, and the fabric issubjected to a succession of intermittent feeding and cutting motions,which occur simultaneously, the dip of the feeding members beneath thesurface of the work preparatory to taking a fresh hold upon the lowerface of the fabric being accompanied by the opening of the shear bladesto cause the upper blade to take a fresh hold upon the top of thefabric. served that, while the cutting operation comprises a successionof shearing actions due to the successive opening and closing of theshear blades, the shear-cutters thus formed move bodily with the fabric,and therefore produce a clean out without any tendency to disturb thefabric under pressure between the feeding member and the presser-foot.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim hereinis 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with areciprocating support and means for actuating it, of a plurality ofcarriers loosely mounted upon and adapted for lateral adjustment on saidsupport, means applied to said carriers for securing them in positionupon said support, a shearcutter mounted upon each of said carriers, andmeans independent of the actuating means for said support for actuatingsaid cutters.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with suitablework-feeding mechanism, of a plurality of relatively adjustableshear-cutters each comprising a reciprocating cutting blade disposedsubstantially parallel with the direction of feed, and means foractuating said cutters.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with suitableworkfeeding mechanism, of a plurality of relatively adjustableshear-cutters, each comprising a pair of pivotally connected cuttingblades of which one is movable in relation to the other and arranged inplanes substantially parallel with the direction of feed, and means foractuating said cutters.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with suitableworkfeeding mechanism, of a plurality of relatively adjustableshear-cutters each comprising a reciprocating cuttingblade, and a commonreciprocating actuating member for all of said cutters.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a pluralityof suitable intermittently-acting work-feeding members, of a pluralityof shear-cutters each connected to and movable bodily with one of saidwork-feeding members and comprising a pair of pivotally connected andrelatively movable cutting blades, and means for actuating said cutters.

It will thus be ob- I 6. In a machine of the class described,cuttingmechanism comprising a rocking mem- ,1 her carrying a primary supportingrod par- Z allel with its axis of motion, means for actuating saidrocker, a secondary supporting ;1 rod rigidly connected to and sustainedpar- I allel with said primary supporting rod, in-

dependent carrier-bars each provided with a sleeve mounted upon andslidably fitted to 7 one of said supporting rods, and a cutterniountedupon each of said carrier-bars.

7. In a machine of the class described, cutting mechanism comprising arocking member carrying a primary supporting rod parallel with its axisof motion, means for actuating said rocker, a secondary supporting rodrigidly connected to and sustained parallel with said primary supportingrod, independent carrier-bars each provided with a sleeve mounted uponand slidably fitted to one of said supporting rods, a cutter mountedupon each of said carrier-bars and comprising a pair of relativelymovable shearblades, and means for actuating the movable member of eachof said cutters.

S. In a machine of the class described, cutting mechanism comprising arocking member, a plurality of carrier-bars pivotally connected with andlaterally adjustable in relation to said rocking member, means foractuating said rocking member, an actuating rod extending transverselyof and beneath the outer ends of said carrier-bars, means forcommunicating movement to said actuating bar crosswise of its length,and a pair of shearblades mounted upon each of said carrier-bars, one ofwhich is pivotally mounted and operatively connected with said actuatingrod.

9. In a machine of the class described, cutting mechanism comprising arocking member, a plurality of carrier-bars pivotally con nected withand laterally adjustable in relation to said rocking member, means foractuating said rocking member, two parallel actuating rods extendingtransversely of and beneath the outer ends of said carrier-bars, meansfor communicating rising and falling and to-and-fro movements to saidrods crosswise of their length, a pair of shear-blades mounted upon eachof said carrier-bars, one of which is pivotally mounted and operativelyconnected with one of said actuating rods, and a yoke rigidly connectedwith the outer end of each of said carrier-bars and operativelyconnected with the other of said actuating rods through which rising andfalling movements are imparted to the carrier-bars.

1.0. In a machine of the class described, the combination with amain-shaft, of a rocking member, a plurality of carrierbars pivotallyconnected with and laterally adjustable in relation to said rockingmember, means for actuating said rocking member, a pair of cranks oreccentrics upon the main-shaft, a pair of crank-arms mounted upon fixedfulcra, eccentric rods embracing said eccentrics and each connected withone of said crank-arms, two parallel actuating rods connected atopposite ends with said eccentric-rods and lying beneath andtransversely of the outer ends of said carrier-bars, a pair ofshear-blades mounted upon each of said carrier-bars, one of which ispivotally mounted and provided with a depending fork embracing one ofsaid actuating rods, and a lifting plate depending from each carrier-barand having a lateral slot embracing the other of said actuating rods.

11. In a machine of the class described, cutting mechanism comprising arocking member, a plurality of carrier-bars pivotally connected with andlaterally adjustable in relation to said rocking member, and eachprovided at the outer end with a serrated feeding surface, means foractuating said rocking member, an actuating rod extending transverselyof and beneath the outer ends of said carrier-bars, means forcommunicating movement to said actuating bar crosswise of its length,and a pair of shear-blades mounted upon each of said carrier-barsadjacent its feeding surface, one of which is pivotally mounted andoperatively connected with said actuating rod.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand a Workplate secured thereon, of a plurality of laterally adjustablecarrier-bars disposed below said work-plate and each sustaining afeeding member and an adjacent cutter, means for actuating saidcarrier-bar, a primary presser-supporting bar rigidly sustained by saidframe above said work-plate, an arm pivotally and slidably mounted uponsaid bar and carrying a depending and forwardly extending presserfootand having a rearward extension carrying a secondary presser-supportingbar, an arm pivotally and slidably connected with said secondarysupporting bar, and provided with a depending and forwardly extendingpresser-foot, and means for yieldingly pressing each of said presserfeettoward the feeding member to which it is opposed.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand a work-plate secured thereon, of a plurality of laterally adjustablecarrier-bars disposed below said work-plate and each sustaining acutter, means for actuating said carrier-bar, a laterally adjustablethroat-plate above the outer end of each carrier-bar and having an opening therein to receive one of said cutters, a primary presser-supportingbar of angular form rigidly sustained by said frame above saidwork-plate, a presser-arm having a tubular boss or sleeve fitted to andcircularly and endwise movable upon said supporting bar, said armcarrying a depending and forwardly extending pressenfoot and having arearward extension carrying a secondary presser-supporting bar, apresser-arm provided with a tubular boss or sleeve fitted to andcircularly and endwise movable upon said secondary supporting bar, arigidly sustained pressure lever forked to embrace the primarysupporting bar, a pressure spring intermediate said pressure lever andthe first-named presser-arm whereby the presserfoot carried by thelatter is pressed clownwardly upon the throat-plate adjacent the cutter,and a pressure spring intermediate the second-named presser-arm and thesleeve of the first-named presser-arm whereby the presser-foot of thelatter is pressed upon its respective throat-plate.

1.4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand a workplate secured thereon and provided with a longitudinalopening, of a plurality of latorally adjustable carrier-bars disposedbelow said work-plate and each sustaining a feeding member and anadjacent cutter, means for actuating said carrier-bar, a laterallyadjustable throat-plate fitted to the opposite edges of said work-plateand having an aperture embracing said feeding member and cutter, apresser-supporting bar rigidly sustained by said frame above saidwork-plate, a plurality of presser-feet pivotally connected with andlaterally movable in relation'to said supporting bar and opposed to saidfeeding member, and means for yieldingly pressing each of saidpresser-feet toward the feeding member to which it is opposed.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand a worl; plate secured thereon and provided with a longitudinalopening with supporting lips along the opposite edges, of a plurality oflaterally adjustable cutters extending up ardly through said opening inthe workplate, means for actuating said cutters, a plurality ofthroat-plates each having an opening adapted to embrace one of saidcut-- ters, with its ends fitted to and resting upon the supporting lipsof said opening in the work-plate and each having in one end aspring-pressed latch-plug adapted to engage the supporting lip forlocking the throatplate in position, and

a plurality of relatively adjustable spring-pressed presser-feet opposedto said throat-plates.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand a workplate secured thereon, of a plurality of relatively adjustablecutters adapted to operate through said work-plate, and means foractuating said cutters, spring-pressed presserfeet disposed adjacent andlaterally adjustable with said cutters, a rigid work-supporting bardisposed in advance of said workplate, and a vertically yieldingwork-smoothing bar disposed intermediate said worksupporting bar andsaid work-plate.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand a workplate secured thereon, of a plurality of relatively adjustablecutters adapted to operate through said work-plate, and means foractuating said cutters, spring-pressed presserfeet disposed adjacent andlaterally adjustable with said cutters, a rigid work-supporting bardisposed in advance of said workplate, an edge-guide longitudinallyadjustable upon said work-support-ing bar, and a vertically yieldingwork-smoothing bar disposed intermediate said work-supporting bar andsaid work-plate.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand a workplate secured thereon, of a plurality of relatively adjustablecutters adapted to operate through said work-plate, and means foractuating said cutters, spring-pressed presserfeet disposed adjacent andlaterally adjustable with said cutters, a rigid work-supporting bardisposed in advance of said workplate, an edge-guide longitudinallyadjustable upon said worl -supporting bar and having a guide-fingeroverlying the forward margin of the work-plate, and a verticallyyielding work-smoothing bar disposed intermediate said work-supportingbar and said Work-plate.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT H. DE VOE.

WVitnesses:

JOSEPH F. J AQUITH, HENRY J. MILLER.

